How Does GM Decide on Engine Names?

*The_Blur* · 12-17-2012, 08:33 PM

As I was looking at GM's new LT1 specs with a wad of tissues, I began thinking about what the LT1 is. I'm a 4thgen driver with the LS1 under the hood, I am always looking at parts for my car and having to sidestep the LT1 F-body parts that don't fit. It's as if we have a LT1-1 as it would probably be named on my Mac.

GM, how do you decide to name your engines? Why did you go with the LT1 designator for the next major player in the small block arena.

AZCamaroFan · 12-17-2012, 09:29 PM

apparently every other new V8 is called LT-1.
personally i think they should have moved on and called it LR-1 or something.

drummer5679 · 12-17-2012, 10:54 PM

marketing

CamaroSkooter · 12-18-2012, 10:13 AM

They are purposely trying to confuse you

tj@LSRPerformance · 12-18-2012, 10:14 AM

They get names by marketing gurus that make tons of $$, lol.

Best Regards,

TJ

*The_Blur* · 12-18-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tj@LSRPerformance

They get names by marketing gurus that make tons of $$, lol.

Best Regards,

TJ

That's probable. They should fire these guys for their lack of creativity.

PeeBee · 12-18-2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Blur

That's probable. They should fire these guys for their lack of creativity.

You should be telling that to the Porsche designers

Scrappy Doo · 12-18-2012, 10:31 AM

Maybe it's Lt1 this time and not LT1. Or lT1. LOL

And it's the same name as trim levels too.....

GM, there are 26 letters and 10 numbers....feel free to mix em up.

05stram · 12-18-2012, 09:38 PM

it is just an RPO designation L means GM family the S started with the vettes somewhere in the 90s and just meant it was a new aluminum engine family. Just like the RPO Z71 used to mean an offroad package it now is an appearance package - GM loves to reuses RPOs since they limited themselves to the 3 alphanumeric designation. Just be glad they moved on after 85 years to new model designation codes or your SS could of been the same model designation as a horse drawn fisher chassis just a mere 17 years ago.

shank0668 · 12-18-2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05stram

it is just an RPO designation L means GM family the S started with the vettes somewhere in the 90s and just meant it was a new aluminum engine family. Just like the RPO Z71 used to mean an offroad package it now is an appearance package - GM loves to reuses RPOs since they limited themselves to the 3 alphanumeric designation. Just be glad they moved on after 85 years to new model designation codes or your SS could of been the same model designation as a horse drawn fisher chassis just a mere 17 years ago.

The Horse Drawn Fisher Chassis.

*DGthe3* · 12-19-2012, 03:56 PM

They're more designations to me than names. To me, an engine name is something like 'TurboFire' or 'Pentastar' or 'Coyote'. But LT1, or LS3, or LFX or LFN or any other code assigned to GM's engines? They're little more than gibberish to me.

Also, the reason why GM uses countless codes instead of actual names is because it really sucks trying to give a meaningful and important name the 20th version of the same engine. For only the Gen IV family of small blocks we've had the LS2, L76, L98, L77, LY6, LY2, LY5, LMG, LH6, LC9, LFA, LS4, LS7, L92, LS3, L99, LSA, and LS9. I'm sure I'm missing a few.

Also, the LT1 that you were referring to in your OP was not the first time GM used that designation on a small block. It was also the designation on a 350 cu engine from the early 70s.

Also, GM doesn't care too much about using a designation on the same type of engine. LS6 has been used for a big block 454, an Iron Duke 4 banger, and a high performance small block.

willhe64 · 12-19-2012, 04:41 PM

The LT1 was a 350. and you missed the L9H, my 6.2 engine in the silverado.

*DGthe3* · 12-19-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhe64

The LT1 was a 350. and you missed the L9H, my 6.2 engine in the silverado.

Sorry, that was a typo. I meant 350

12-17-2012, 08:33 PM	#1
The_Blur Moderator Drives: 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 14,768	How Does GM Decide on Engine Names? As I was looking at GM's new LT1 specs with a wad of tissues, I began thinking about what the LT1 is. I'm a 4thgen driver with the LS1 under the hood, I am always looking at parts for my car and having to sidestep the LT1 F-body parts that don't fit. It's as if we have a LT1-1 as it would probably be named on my Mac. GM, how do you decide to name your engines? Why did you go with the LT1 designator for the next major player in the small block arena. __________________ RDP Motorsport//GEN5DIY//Cultrag Performance//JPSS//Rodgets Chevrolet// Operation Demon//Buy at Invoice//RACECARWEAR RESPECT ALL CARS. LOVE YOUR OWN. warn 145:159 ban

12-17-2012, 09:29 PM	#2
AZCamaroFan Camaro6 2016-2018 Drives: sometimes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 18,468	apparently every other new V8 is called LT-1. personally i think they should have moved on and called it LR-1 or something. __________________

12-18-2012, 10:13 AM	#4
CamaroSkooter Retarded One-Legged Owl Drives: 2010 Black Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 9,745	They are purposely trying to confuse you __________________ My VIN = 2G1FK1EJ9A9105017 Build Date: 04-23-2009 according to: http://www.compnine.com/vid.php

12-19-2012, 03:56 PM	#11
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	They're more designations to me than names. To me, an engine name is something like 'TurboFire' or 'Pentastar' or 'Coyote'. But LT1, or LS3, or LFX or LFN or any other code assigned to GM's engines? They're little more than gibberish to me. Also, the reason why GM uses countless codes instead of actual names is because it really sucks trying to give a meaningful and important name the 20th version of the same engine. For only the Gen IV family of small blocks we've had the LS2, L76, L98, L77, LY6, LY2, LY5, LMG, LH6, LC9, LFA, LS4, LS7, L92, LS3, L99, LSA, and LS9. I'm sure I'm missing a few. Also, the LT1 that you were referring to in your OP was not the first time GM used that designation on a small block. It was also the designation on a 350 cu engine from the early 70s. Also, GM doesn't care too much about using a designation on the same type of engine. LS6 has been used for a big block 454, an Iron Duke 4 banger, and a high performance small block. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum Last edited by DGthe3; 12-19-2012 at 07:54 PM. Reason: typo

12-19-2012, 04:41 PM	#12
willhe64 Drives: 2012 45th Vert, 2011 4x4, 9sec Vega Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,188	The LT1 was a 350. and you missed the L9H, my 6.2 engine in the silverado. __________________ I feel it only fair to warn you, I have a black belt in CAPS LOCK.

12-17-2012, 10:54 PM	#3
drummer5679 Drives: 2005 Infiniti G35 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Carrollton, TX Posts: 390	marketing

12-18-2012, 10:14 AM	#5
tj@LSRPerformance Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 111	They get names by marketing gurus that make tons of $$, lol. Best Regards, TJ

12-18-2012, 10:31 AM	#8
Scrappy Doo Drives: Callaway Rogue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W8n 4 Snow, Minnesota Posts: 4,731	Maybe it's Lt1 this time and not LT1. Or lT1. LOL And it's the same name as trim levels too..... GM, there are 26 letters and 10 numbers....feel free to mix em up.

12-18-2012, 09:38 PM	#9
05stram Drives: 2013 RS - 2013 2SS/RS - 1971 RS Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,027	it is just an RPO designation L means GM family the S started with the vettes somewhere in the 90s and just meant it was a new aluminum engine family. Just like the RPO Z71 used to mean an offroad package it now is an appearance package - GM loves to reuses RPOs since they limited themselves to the 3 alphanumeric designation. Just be glad they moved on after 85 years to new model designation codes or your SS could of been the same model designation as a horse drawn fisher chassis just a mere 17 years ago.